The third edition of the EU GREEN Research Week, held at the University of Parma, proved to be another resounding success—building on the momentum of its previous editions (the 2023 edition was held in Angers, France and the 2024 edition was held at the Atlantic Technological University, Ireland). Marking the halfway point of the project, the 2025 event offered a dynamic mix of discussions, strategic meetings, and forward-looking initiatives for research across the alliance. The universities of Angers (France) and Parma (Italy) lead the alliance’s research-related initiatives.
More than 150 participants from the nine EU GREEN partner universities gathered to exchange ideas and strengthen collaborative ties. For the first time, the event also featured a summer school for PhD students, culminating in the 3-Minute Fame competition.
The in-person format enabled productive meetings between the key Work Package 3 “Structuring research-based learning through Excellence Clusters” bodies—including the Joint Research Commission, the European Task Force, the PhD Council, and the Research Clusters—who worked in both individual and joint sessions to align strategies and ensure progress toward the project’s objectives.
A significant development during the week was the introduction of a new Work Package 3 initiative: EU GREEN Libraries. Proposed by staff from the Science and Technology Libraries at the University of Parma, this new body aims to review and harmonize open science policies across the alliance. It seeks to foster a shared, sustainable, and inclusive culture of openness in academic research.
Central to the week were three round tables, which addressed:
- Embedding EU GREEN research in local communities,
- Engaging stakeholders across campuses, cities, and regions,
- Bridging the gaps between the project’s various work packages.
Moderated by Agneta Morelli (University of Gävle, “Sustainable and Healthy Campuses” ), Frances Lucy (Atlantic Technological University, “Engagement for sustainable societies and economies”), and Daniel Milanese (University of Parma, “Entrepreneurship and innovation for sustainability”), the discussions featured practical case studies, community-driven research requests, and a shared focus on empowering the next generation of researchers to address sustainability challenges.
These round tables also served as a preview of the Conference of Parties (CoP) format, with the first official CoP event set to take place in early October at the University of Angers.
The week concluded on a high note with the 3-Minute Fame, where an enthusiastic audience applauded the creativity, clarity, and passion shown by all participating PhD students. The task of selecting winners was no easy feat for the evaluation committee—each presentation was a compelling glimpse into the future of European research.
